Lakewood Receives Award For Clean Audit

LAKEWOOD, OH — Lakewood's most recent financial audit has qualified the city for the Auditor of State Award with Distinction for clean, high-quality record-keeping.

“This significant and important award from the state of Ohio affirms our obligation to be excellent stewards of our taxpayers’ dollars,” said Lakewood Mayor Michael Summers. “It also confirms the continued hard work of our entire finance department.”

The Auditor of State Award with Distinction is given to local governments and school districts after a financial audit. The audits must come back clean, meaning they don't have any findings for recovery, weaknesses, significant deficiencies or questioned costs.

“Accurate bookkeeping is a critical component of efficient government,” Ohio Auditor Keith Faber said. “These governments have shown their commitment to saving taxpayer’s money, and I am proud to present them with this award.”

This is the fifth time Lakewood has received the Auditor of State Award with Distinction. The full audit report was shared online.

“This award would not be possible without the hard work of the Lakewood Finance Department employees, and the much-valued assistance and input of the City’s Audit Committee,” said Jenn Pae, the city’s finance director. “This culminates years of improving the city’s financial position, tightening internal controls, and implementing fiscal best practices.”